What to Do About An Overflowing Toilet

Your bathroom is a room with some of the most utility of any rooms in your home. It’s an absolute necessity that everything is up and running fine, otherwise, you’re not going to be a happy camper. If your toilet isn’t working properly, you’re bound to get upset. The toilet may have overflowed and you’re unsure of what to do next. Luckily, there are a few basic management techniques to quickly use if your toilet is overflowing that will help prevent raw sewage from spilling out onto the floor. Keep reading on for more tips.

Shut Off Valves

In any water emergency, the shut off valve is going to be your lifeline. Once a toilet starts overflowing, your best bet is to stop the water from its source. It’s always a good idea to find the water shut off valve before you move in, but if you’re unsure where it is, all you need to do is follow the pipe leading from your bathroom wall to the toilet. Along it, there should be a hand crank on the line that can be used to close the valve and stop any water flow. Always be sure to check that the valve is in working condition and is easy to close when you need to!

Check the Tank

If you aren’t able to shut off your valve for whatever reason, you should next check inside the tank. To do so, lift the lid on the back of the toilet. You’ll want to check the rubber part, known as the flapped, which is at the bottom of the tank. If it’s open, reach down and manually close it to stop water from flowing. If the flapper is closed but water is still flowing, see if your toilet has a float ball. Float balls are the component that floats on the surface and it is meant to make sure the water isn’t getting too high. If you manually lift this, it could cause your water to shut off.

Plunge!

Lastly, you may be able to clear the clog using an old fashioned plunger. It’s a good idea to get one with a toilet flange as your go-to. Plunging can help relieve an overflow by removing the clog, but be sure that you clear a clog even if the toilet has stopped overflowing. If nothing alleviates your overflowing toilet, it may be time to call the experts.

Get in Touch With Mahon Plumbing

Mahon Plumbing has been serving the Baltimore region’s plumbing needs since 1994. We’re ready to offer quality plumbing services and gas installation for both commercial and residential uses. Our tracks and employees are ready to handle the toughest of jobs.

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